CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
Cao Shuang曹爽
Grand General of Wei, entrusted with the regency, later killed by Sima Yi.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 21
- RELATION RECORDS
- 30
- SOURCE WORKS
- 2
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
Cao Shuang, and the people around them.
Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.
01KINSHIPKinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
3 figures · 3 records＋
Kinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
Cao ZhenisCao Shuang’s father
Cao Shuang—Wen Qintreat generously
Cao Shuang—Cao Xibrothers
02ALLEGIANCEAllegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
13 figures · 18 records＋
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
Cao Shuang—Cao Ruiruler-subject
Source record
Cao Shuang→He Yantrust
Cao Shuang→Deng Yangtrust
Cao Shuang→Bi Guitrust
Cao Shuang→Huan Fantrust
03CONFLICTConflict
Battles, captures and defeat
8 figures · 9 records＋
Conflict
Battles, captures and defeat
Sima Yi→Cao Shuangkill
Wang Ping→Cao Shuangrepel enemy
Jiang Ji→Cao Shuangurge surrender
Wang Chang→Cao Shuangkilled
12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
In history · Records of the Three Kingdoms
Grand General of Wei, executed.；Grand General of Wei, failed in the campaign against Shu.；Imperial clan member of Cao Wei, killed by Sima Yi.
In fiction · Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Grand General of Wei, entrusted with the regency, later killed by Sima Yi.；Grand General of Wei, power seized by Sima Yi in a coup, later killed.
Across source works
How this figure changes across texts
Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.
- Literature / legend2 profile notes
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
8 relations7 verified quotations- Sima Yi→ kill →Cao Shuang
- Cao Shuang→ confer title →Sima Yi
- Cao Rui→ orphan entrust →Cao Shuang
- Cao Shuang→ trust →He Yan
Verified original text · 7
懿用长枷钉了。
kill · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 107
入奏魏主曹芳曰：“司马懿功高德重，可加为太傅。”
confer title · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 106
5 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Official history27 profile notes
Records of the Three Kingdoms
23 relations22 verified quotations- Sima Yi→ kill →Cao Shuang
- Cao Shuang→ rival →Sima Yi
- Cao Shuang→ ruler-subject →Cao Rui
- Cao Zhen→ father-son →Cao Shuang
Verified original text · 22
太傅司马宣王奏免大将军曹爽
impeach · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·少帝纪
司马宣王既诛曹爽
kill · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·王毌丘诸葛邓锺传
20 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
History vs. fiction
Cao Shuang's reaction after losing power
- based on factAfter being placed under house arrest, Cao Shuang borrowed grain from Sima Yi and called himself a rich man.
In Chapter 107 of the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, it is written that after Cao Shuang was placed under house arrest, he borrowed grain from Sima Yi and, throwing down his sword, sighed, 'If I had not raised troops, I would have been willing to give up my office, but it would have been enough to be a rich man!' The main text of Records of the Three Kingdoms does not contain this record; it only states that he 'attributed his guilt and begged for death, then communicated the memorial to King Xuan' and subsequently 'excused Shuang and his brothers, returning them to their residences as marquises.' The borrowing of grain and the words 'rich man' actually both come from the 'Wei Mo Zhuan' and 'Wei Shi Chun Qiu' cited in Pei Songzhi's annotations.
Relationship network
- kill← Sima Yi → Cao Shuanghist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·少帝纪Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·王毌丘诸葛邓锺传Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·程郭董刘蒋刘传Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·诸夏侯曹传Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·韩崔高孙王传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 107
Original text (5)
懿用长枷钉了。
太傅司马宣王奏免大将军曹爽
Original relation: impeach · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·少帝纪
司马宣王既诛曹爽
宣王部勒兵马，先据武库，遂出屯洛水浮桥。
Original relation: rival · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·诸夏侯曹传
司马宣王诛爽
- rivalCao Shuang → Sima YihistRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·少帝纪Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·程郭董刘蒋刘传
Original text (1)
终于曹爽诛夷，齐王替位。
Original text (1)
入奏魏主曹芳曰：“司马懿功高德重，可加为太傅。”
Original text (1)
叡执司马懿之手曰：“…………幸太尉及宗兄元勋旧臣，竭力相辅，无负朕心！”
Original text (1)
真薨，谥曰元侯。子爽嗣。
Original text (1)
魏大将军曹爽率步骑十馀万向汉川
Original text (1)
曹爽以钦乡里，厚养待之
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大将军曹爽、太尉司马宣王辅政。
Original text (1)
大将军曹爽请为从事中郎
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
太傅司马宣王既诛曹爽
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时大将军曹爽专权，任用何晏、邓飏等。肃与太尉蒋济、司农桓范论及时政，肃正色曰
Original text (1)
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南阳何晏、邓飏、李胜、沛国丁谧、东平毕轨咸有声名，进趣于时，明帝以其浮华，皆抑黜之；及爽秉政，乃复进叙，任为腹心。
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
南阳何晏、邓飏、李胜、沛国丁谧、东平毕轨咸有声名，进趣于时，明帝以其浮华，皆抑黜之；及爽秉政，乃复进叙，任为腹心。
Original text (1)
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惮观守法，乃徙为太仆
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
观闻知，皆录夺以没官
- brothersCao Shuang → Cao XilitRomance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 106Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 107
Original text (2)
Original text (1)
又有大司农桓范字元则，颇有智谋，人多称为“智囊”。此数人皆爽所信任。
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
大司农沛国桓范闻兵起，不应太后召，矫诏开平昌门，拔取剑戟，略将门候，南奔爽。